Auston Matthews Finalist for Hart Trophy

[Clark4Ever]

f*** his nomination. Bring it in the post season.

He has brought it in the post season before. This year, it was difficult for him with one linemate coming off of injury and the other linemate going MIA.

If Keefe gave him the chance to play with Nylander for meaningful minutes, perhaps things would have worked out differently.

 

[Stephen]

I've noticed this happens a lot. Seems like if you're getting enough minutes to be MVP, it's often because your team doesn't have enough depth to go deep.

Line stacking, big minutes and whatever fans clamour for will produce scoring titles, Art Rosses and Rockets, MVP nominations. But you’re right. Could burn a player out by the time an intense playoffs run begins. Though those excuses are less acceptable this year since the Leafs only played 63 total regular season and playoff games.

 

[Atomos2]

Over and under on how many pages till someone said Marner deserves to be nominated for Hart too

Lol

 

[Metroid]

Well said, who cares? Talk to me about Conn Smyth nominations and you got my attention

I'm not normally negative and stuff, but this last choke job was just too dissapointing.

 

[Mess]

Depending on what happens with the Avalanche tonight you might see all three Hart nominees bow out before the conference finals.

Then everyone will claim the Hart nominees didn't demonstrate enough Heart.

They might be considered to be the player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team, but not to his team winning.

 

[Dayjobdave]

Congratulations on Matthews getting the Hart nomination.

All three big centers who are nominated are great players and are deserving.

 

[ER89]

He has brought it in the post season before. This year, it was difficult for him with one linemate coming off of injury and the other linemate going MIA.

If Keefe gave him the chance to play with Nylander for meaningful minutes, perhaps things would have worked out differently.

11m players don't deserve to hide behind excuses.

 

[Stephen]

11m players don't deserve to hide behind excuses.

I’d like to see Matthews continue to improve and separate himself from the other 3 members of the Big 4. Hopefully this Hart nomination propels him forward towards that McDavid Mackinnon category, picking and choosing the strengths and areas where those guys dominate.

 

[Mess]

I’d like to see Matthews continue to improve and separate himself from the other 3 members of the Big 4. Hopefully this Hart nomination propels him forward towards that McDavid Mackinnon category, picking and choosing the strengths and areas where those guys dominate.

Matthews did show a new level of physicality in the playoffs by using his body more, which is a step in the right direction to become more dominate come playoff time when adapting to the harder hitting and tighter checking systems.

 

[Stephen]

Matthews did show a new level of physicality in the playoffs by using his body more, which is a step in the right direction to become more dominate come playoff time when adapting to the harder hitting and tighter checking systems.

He has the tools and has put it together on occasion like you said. Now he has to apply those things under the umbrella of a killer instinct and lead by example.

 

[supermann_98]

This is the type of news that gets Edmonton Oilers fans excited ... MVP nominations and draft lotteries

 

[Lauro]

Matthews did show a new level of physicality in the playoffs by using his body more, which is a step in the right direction to become more dominate come playoff time when adapting to the harder hitting and tighter checking systems.

Glad he doesn't need to wait for the playoffs next season back in our tough division.

 

[Mess]

He has the tools and has put it together on occasion like you said. Now he has to apply those things under the umbrella of a killer instinct and lead by example.

Speaking of "killer instinct" the one thing that bothered me most about Matthews was also related to his increase physical play at the same time.

He would throw a hit and take the body and a scrum would occur and then he would stand there grinning like a Cheshire cat, as the opposition grabbed him by the collar and shook him like a rag doll and he just took it laughing.

Killer instinct to me means hating to lose and doing whatever it takes to win, and that means being serious. The follow-through of his intense hit looked like more like a carefree lack of compete low intensity response, and follows through to it doesn't matter if the team wins or loses.



Matthews as the Rocket Richard winner is certainly due full credit for his Hart nomination as valuable to his team, however I still see a lot of growth potential where he carries that forward particularly during the playoffs to the point he is getting Conn Symthe consideration and MVP. He got the size and the strength to dominate a game, but not the maturity level has not caught up to his skillset and talent yet. IMO

Dougie Gilmour is what I think of when I hear "killer instinct" and I suppose that is why they nicknamed him killer.. He was small but he played like a pit bull on the ice and this is what I'd like to see from Matthews in time when his true killer instinct kicks in.

 

[Gallagbi]

Speaking of "killer instinct" the one thing that bothered me most about Matthews was also related to his increase physical play at the same time.

He would throw a hit and take the body and a scrum would occur and then he would stand there grinning like a Cheshire cat, as the opposition grabbed him by the collar and shook him like a rag doll and he just took it laughing.

Killer instinct to me means hating to lose and doing whatever it takes to win, and that means being serious. The follow-through of his intense hit looked like more like a carefree lack of compete low intensity response, and follows through to it doesn't matter if the team wins or loses.



Matthews as the Rocket Richard winner is certainly due full credit for his Hart nomination as valuable to his team, however I still see a lot of growth potential where he carries that forward particularly during the playoffs to the point he is getting Conn Symthe consideration and MVP. He got the size and the strength to dominate a game, but not the maturity level has not caught up to his skillset and talent yet. IMO

Dougie Gilmour is what I think of when I hear "killer instinct" and I suppose that is why they nicknamed him killer.. He was small but he played like a pit bull on the ice and this is what I'd like to see from Matthews in time when his true killer instinct kicks in.

It's fine to bait players like he did, but you need to back it up and put a few bar down in the process. You can't act special in a scrum and play like he did

 

[mac nylander]

Matthews did show a new level of physicality in the playoffs by using his body more, which is a step in the right direction to become more dominate come playoff time when adapting to the harder hitting and tighter checking systems.

He definitely did, he played fairly well IMO.
Even when the stats don't show it, it just simply doesn't help Matthews when Hyman is injured/rusty and Marner who looked absolutely lost out there.

 

[tmlms13]

Over and under on how many pages till someone said Marner deserves to be nominated for Hart too

Marner deserves to be nominated for the Hart too.

 

[Mess]

It's fine to bait players like he did, but you need to back it up and out a few bar down in the process. You can't act special in a scrum and play like he did

That is my point exactly.

Loved the hit, loved the increase using the body to win puck battles, that is what we need to see more of him using his size and strength to his advantage, but then the ending was almost embarrassing like he was proud he did something special, when that should really become routine.

To allow yourself to get tossed around by the collar and think its all fun and games kind of defeats the purpose of forcing your will on others physically.

Had he stood up for himself and pushed back his teammates would have entered the fray and he would have dragged more teammates into the battle and increase the intensity level of the game and the team. As a leader that would inspire more players to get involved and all will follow into battle, particular if you're behind in the game and trying to change the momentum of your team.

That is what a Hart trophy nominee of being valuable to his team is all about.

 

[Gabriel426]

Speaking of "killer instinct" the one thing that bothered me most about Matthews was also related to his increase physical play at the same time.

He would throw a hit and take the body and a scrum would occur and then he would stand there grinning like a Cheshire cat, as the opposition grabbed him by the collar and shook him like a rag doll and he just took it laughing.

Killer instinct to me means hating to lose and doing whatever it takes to win, and that means being serious. The follow-through of his intense hit looked like more like a carefree lack of compete low intensity response, and follows through to it doesn't matter if the team wins or loses.



Matthews as the Rocket Richard winner is certainly due full credit for his Hart nomination as valuable to his team, however I still see a lot of growth potential where he carries that forward particularly during the playoffs to the point he is getting Conn Symthe consideration and MVP. He got the size and the strength to dominate a game, but not the maturity level has not caught up to his skillset and talent yet. IMO

Dougie Gilmour is what I think of when I hear "killer instinct" and I suppose that is why they nicknamed him killer.. He was small but he played like a pit bull on the ice and this is what I'd like to see from Matthews in time when his true killer instinct kicks in.

Pro Players in general are too nice to each other. You can develop friendship off ice but on ice, it is kill or be killed. This is a get it done league not moral victory league.

 

[Arzak]

Over and under on how many pages till someone said Marner deserves to be nominated for Hart too

He will get one extra nomination from the Leafs. It's in his contract, whatever Matthews got. Miniature rocket for Marner too.

 

[Gabriel426]

He will get one extra nomination from the Leafs. It's in his contract, whatever Matthews got. Miniature rocket for Marner too.

Rocket plus Marner = Rocket Raccoon

 

[Morbo]

he had a hell of a regular season. that's what the award is based on. as I'm sure most are aware, playoff MVPs get their own trophy.

anyway, 41 goals in 52 games is absolutely nuts.

I do understand the who cares remarks. believe me. but for the simple reason that this franchise never has players capable of doing things like that...they do make me sad.

the interesting thing is will he finish 2nd or 3rd behind McDavid.

 

[Mess]

Pro Players in general are too nice to each other. You can develop friendship off ice but on ice, it is kill or be killed. This is a get it done league not moral victory league.

I think one of the main reasons this core 4 forwards will not find ultimate success together, is because they all play a similar game, and play too soft, small and nice.

The playoffs are not designed for all your core key players to be competing for the Lady Bing trophy, for best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct, combined with a high standard of playing ability.

Watch these other series and its a bloodbath out there, and as the saying goes nice guys finish last and are an easy out come playoff time.

The Hart trophy has a spelling mistake, as is should be spelt Heart trophy instead.

 

[Gabriel426]

I think one of the main reasons this core 4 forwards will not find ultimate success together, is because they all play a similar game, and play too soft, small and nice.

The playoffs are not designed for all your core key players to be competing for the Lady Bing trophy, for best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct, combined with a high standard of playing ability.

Watch these other series and its a bloodbath out there, and as the saying goes nice guys finish last and are an easy out come playoff time.

The Hart trophy has a spelling mistake, as is should be spelt Heart trophy instead.

No question about it. Of the teams remaining or even made it to the second round, they are all good forechecking teams. Thats something the Leafs players just don't do.

 

[Aus34Matt]

I'm not normally negative and stuff, but this last choke job was just too dissapointing.

Join me and 1000's other Leafs fans this year who weren't but are now till they get the shit together.

 

[m1ker]

Matthews did show a new level of physicality in the playoffs by using his body more, which is a step in the right direction to become more dominate come playoff time when adapting to the harder hitting and tighter checking systems.

This is true. However, game 5 rolls around and he started skating like Joe because Keefe played him way too much. Should of found a way to use Nash as a shutdown role so Matthews didn’t have every single assignment.